Note For Teachers: Keep PrayingWhat do you want from God?

In this Bible story we read about a woman name Hannah. She loved God and worshipped him faithfully. She desperately wanted a child.

Hannah continued to seek God for a child no matter what her situation was. She was even made fun of to the point of tears and being distraught by another woman who had children.

This story feels so familiar to each of our lives. There are things that we have asked God for. People around us may not be making fun of us for what they already have that we are waiting for, but we may feel jealousy for what we don’t have.

Hannah was persistent and in the end received a very special boy that would do special things for God.

We pray that whatever you are asking God for you will receive and in turn bring glory to God in a special way.

Lesson 2

Theme: Keep Praying

Bible Story:1st Samuel 1-2

Large Group

Outline:

Phrase of the day: “Keep Praying”

1. Rules 1. Stay In Your Seat 2. Treat Others with Respect 3. The Whistle Means Freeze

2. Offering

3. Lesson Preview: Video Clip from Up.

4. Song: Never Give Up

5. Game: Beach Ball Bounce

6. Bible Story: 1 Samuel 1-2

7. Object Lesson #1Door Knocker

8.Object Lesson #2 Candy at the Right Time

9.Object Lesson #3 Greeting Cards

10. Pray

Bible Story: 1 Samuel 1-2 (NCV)1 There was a man named Elkanah son of Jeroham from Ramathaim in the mountains of Ephraim. Elkanah was from the family of Zuph. (Jeroham was Elihu's son. Elihu was Tohu's son, and Tohu was the son of Zuph from the family group of Ephraim.)2 Elkanah had two wives named Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. 3 Every year Elkanah left his town of Ramah and went up to Shiloh to worship the Lord All-Powerful and to offer sacrifices to him. Shiloh was where Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, served as priests of the Lord.4 When Elkanah offered sacrifices, he always gave a share of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to her sons and daughters.5 But Elkanah always gave a special share of the meat to Hannah, because he loved Hannah and because the Lord had kept her from having children.6 Peninnah would tease Hannah and upset her, because the Lord had made her unable to have children.7 This happened every year when they went up to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. Peninnah would upset Hannah until Hannah would cry and not eat anything.8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, "Hannah, why are you crying and why won't you eat? Why are you sad? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"9 Once, after they had eaten their meal in Shiloh, Hannah got up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair near the entrance to the Lord's house.10 Hannah was so sad that she cried and prayed to the Lord.11 She made a promise, saying, "Lord All-Powerful, see how sad I am. Remember me and don't forget me. If you will give me a son, I will give him back to you all his life, and no one will ever cut his hair with a razor."[a]12 While Hannah kept praying, Eli watched her mouth.13 She was praying in her heart so her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk14 and said to her, "Stop getting drunk! Throw away your wine!"15 Hannah answered, "No, sir, I have not drunk any wine or beer. I am a deeply troubled woman, and I was telling the Lord about all my problems.16 Don't think I am an evil woman. I have been praying because I have many troubles and am very sad." 17 Eli answered, "Go! I wish you well. May the God of Israel give you what you asked of him." 18 Hannah said, "May I always please you." When she left and ate something, she was not sad anymore.19 Early the next morning Elkanah's family got up and worshiped the Lord. Then they went back home to Ramah. Elkanah had sexual relations with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.20 So Hannah became pregnant, and in time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,[b] saying, "His name is Samuel because I asked the Lord for him."21 Every year Elkanah went with his whole family to Shiloh to offer sacrifices and to keep the promise he had made to God.22 But one time Hannah did not go with him. She told him, "When the boy is old enough to eat solid food, I will take him to Shiloh. Then I will give him to the Lord, and he will always live there." 23 Elkanah, Hannah's husband, said to her, "Do what you think is best. You may stay home until the boy is old enough to eat. May the Lord do what you have said." So Hannah stayed at home to nurse her son until he was old enough to eat. 24 When Samuel was old enough to eat, Hannah took him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh, along with a three-year-old bull, one-half bushel of flour, and a leather bag filled with wine.25 After they had killed the bull for the sacrifice, Hannah brought Samuel to Eli.26 She said to Eli, "As surely as you live, sir, I am the same woman who stood near you praying to the Lord.27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord answered my prayer and gave him to me.28 Now I give him back to the Lord. He will belong to the Lord all his life." And he worshiped the Lord there. 2:1 Hannah Prays: "The Lord has filled my heart with joy; I feel very strong in the Lord.     I can laugh at my enemies; I am glad because you have helped me!  2 "There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no God but you; there is no Rock like our God.  3 "Don't continue bragging, don't speak proud words. The Lord is a God who knows everything,        and he judges what people do.  4 "The bows of warriors break, but weak people become strong.  5 Those who once had plenty of food now must work for food,        but people who were hungry are hungry no more.     The woman who could not have children now has seven,        but the woman who had many children now is sad.  6 "The Lord sends death,  and he brings to life. He sends people to the grave,        and he raises them to life again.  7 The Lord makes some people poor, and others he makes rich.     He makes some people humble, and others he makes great.  8 The Lord raises the poor up from the dust, and he lifts the needy from the ashes.     He lets the poor sit with princes and receive a throne of honor.     "The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord, and the Lord set the world upon them.  9 He protects those who are loyal to him,   but evil people will be silenced in darkness.        Power is not the key to success. 10 The Lord destroys his enemies;        he will thunder in heaven against them.     The Lord will judge all the earth.        He will give power to his king        and make his appointed king strong."

Lesson PreviewShow the clip “My Name Is Russell” from the movie Up. In this clip Russell shows up at Carl’s

door wanting to earn a badge. Russell is very persistent in asking for what he wants. Because of Russell’s persistence, he ends up with much more than a badge, he ends up on a journey with Carl. This is a lot like a women from the Bible named Hannah. Hannah kept praying for what she wanted. Not only did she get what she wanted but she too ended up on a very special journey with God. We will find out more details later on.

Bible StoryThere are some details of this story that are not appropriate for children. When telling this story some details to note are:- Hannah wanted children.- Hannah was made fun of because she did not have any children.- Hannah worshiped and was faithful to God and kept praying even when she did not see results for years.

- Hannah made and kept a promise to God.- Hannah gave thanks to God after he gave her a son. - Because Hannah kept praying God gave her a son, who was a very important part in God’s story.

Object Lesson #1 Door KnockerMaterials Needed: An adult prepped before service to be persistent in their knocking and their begging for a specific item that you have on the stage before hand (we used an offering bucket).

Note for Teachers: This object lesson is based off of Jesus’ parable in Luke 11:5-10.

Start the object lesson with a phrase that the knocker knows before hand, such as “Just like Hannah we need to keep praying no matter what”. The person knocks on the outside of the door, tell them that its too late for whatever they need you have already started the lesson. Keep telling them no but finally give up after saying no several times. Some ways you can say no are:- Nows not a good time.- I am busy.- Come back later.- I know we are friends but you can’t just ask for something whenever you want it.

No matter what you say have the person knocking continue to beg. After you give the knocker what they need explain to the children that you knew that person would be coming looking for the offering bucket because Mr. Than really does need it. Ask the kids “When I didn’t let them in what did they do?”, “What would have happened if they would have only asked once?”.When we ask God for something he may not give it to us right away. We need to just keep praying. At the right time God will give us what we have asked for, although it may take a lot asking.

Object Lesson #2 Candy at the Right TimeMaterials Needed: A video of someone promising something to the boys and girls that they will receive when their parents come to pick them up, and enough objects to give each boy and girl when they leave.

Play the video. Begin teasing the boys and girls letting them know that you already have what they are waiting to receive. Really enjoy what you already have. Keep this going for a few minutes. Become serious and explain that how they are feeling is how Hannah felt for a very long time but with something much more important. She trusted God and kept praying knowing that he would provide. Just like Hannah we need to keep praying even when others around us have already received what we want.

Object Lesson #3 Greeting CardsMaterials Needed: An assortment of different greeting cards for different occasions, such as get well, missing you, anniversary, wedding, graduation, mother’s day, new baby. Make sure one of them is a thank you card.

Go through each of the cards, one at a time, asking the kids when you would give someone that type of card. Make this time fun by reading what each card says. Maybe tell a personal story about a card you received, or make up a story about who would receive one of the cards. Lead the kids into becoming emotionally involved in each card. Have the last card that you ask the kids about be a thank you card. Once a child has answered that you would give a thank you card when someone has done something nice for you or when someone has given you a gift explain to them all of the things that God has already given to us. We cannot forget to thank God for all that he has done for us.

Leading Children in PrayerTry to follow this pattern when leading children in prayer. We are not only helping the children connect with God in that moment but teaching them life long prayer skills. This

may seem to be monotonous but children learn through repetition.

Dear Jesus,I love you.Thank you that you always hear my prayers.Please help me to trust you and your word. I want to live for you. Thank you for all that you have given me.Please help me to do what is right. In Jesus’ name amen.

Lesson PreviewShow the clip “My Name Is Russell” from the

movie Up. In this clip Russell shows up at Carl’s door wanting to earn a badge. Russell is very persistent in asking for what he wants. Because of Russell’s persistence, he ends up with much more than a badge, he ends up on a journey with Carl. This is a lot like a women from the Bible named Hannah. Hannah kept praying for what she wanted. Not only did she get what she wanted but she too ended up on a very special journey with God. We will find out more details later on.

Bible StoryThere are some details of this story that are not appropriate for children. When telling this story some details to note are:- Hannah wanted children.- Hannah was made fun of because she did not have any children.

- Hannah worshiped and was faithful to God and kept praying even when she did not see results for years.

- Hannah made and kept a promise to God.- Hannah gave thanks to God after he gave her a son.

- Because Hannah kept praying God gave her a son, who was a very important part in God’s story.

Object Lesson #1 Door KnockerMaterials Needed: An adult prepped before service to be persistent in their knocking and their begging for a specific item that you have on the stage before hand (we used an offering bucket).

Note for Teachers: This object lesson is based off of Jesus’ parable in Luke 11:5-10.

Start the object lesson with a phrase that the knocker knows before hand, such as “Just like Hannah we need to keep praying no matter what”. The person knocks on the outside of the door, tell them that its too late for whatever they need you have already started the lesson. Keep telling them no but finally give up after saying no several times. Some ways you can say no are:- Nows not a good time.- I am busy.- Come back later.- I know we are friends but you can’t just ask for something whenever you want it.

No matter what you say have the person knocking continue to beg. After you give the knocker what they need explain to the children that you knew that person would be coming looking for the offering bucket because Mr. Than really does need it. Ask the kids “When I didn’t let them in what did they do?”, “What would have happened if they would have only asked once?”.When we ask God for something he may not give it to us right away. We need to just keep praying. At the right time God will give us what we have asked for, although it may take a lot asking.

Object Lesson #3 Greeting CardsMaterials Needed: An assortment of different greeting cards for different occasions, make sure one of them is a thank you card.

Go through each of the cards, one at a time, asking the kids when you would give someone that type of card. Make this time fun by reading what each card says. Maybe tell a personal story about a card you received, or make up a story about who would receive one of the cards. Lead the kids into becoming emotionally involved in each card. Have the last card that you ask the kids about be a thank you card. Once a child has answered that you would give a thank you card when someone has done something nice for you or when someone has given you a gift explain to them all of the things that God has already given to us. We cannot forget to thank God for all that he has done for us.

PrayerHave the children repeat after you:

Dear Jesus,I love you.Thank you that you always hear my prayers.Please help me to trust you and your word. I want to live for you. Thank you for all that you have given me.Please help me to do what is right. In Jesus’ name amen.

Object Lesson #2 Candy at the Right TimeMaterials Needed: A video of someone promising something to the boys and girls that they will receive when their parents come to pick them up, and enough objects to give each boy and girl when they leave.

Play the video. Begin teasing the boys and girls letting them know that you already have what they are waiting to receive. Really enjoy what you already have. Keep this going for a few minutes. Become serious and explain that how they are feeling is how Hannah felt for a very long time but with something much more important. She trusted God and kept praying knowing that he would provide. Just like Hannah we need to keep praying even when others around us have already received what we want.